11. A bar magnet is attached solidly to a frictionless surface and its length is

Question

11. A bar magnet is attached solidly to a frictionless surface and its length is aligned with the r axis. To the right of the first magnet a short distance away is a second bar magnet with its center placed on the x axis and its length perpendicular to the x axis. The second magnet is free to move. Once placed in position at rest, which best describes the initial motion of the second magnet? A) the magnet will move away from the fixed magnet. B) the magnet will not move. C) the magnet will move toward the fixed magnet. D) the magnet will start to rotate.

Explanation / Answer

The forces of the nearer and the farther poles on the free magnet are individually zero. So, the net force on the free magnet is equal to zero.

However, there will be a net torque on the free magnet. The magnet will start to rotate as the pole of the fixed magnet near the free magnet will create a more net torque on the free magnet than the net counter torque created by the pole of the fixed magnet which is at the rare end. The direction of the rotation will depend on the orientation of the poles of the two bar magnets.

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